daughter going to africa

chery2July 29, 2008

Our daughter, 27, works for the Pediatric Aids Foundation in DC. Her job is taking her to Africa later this summer. She's thrilled about the experience, and we're thrilled for her. But now the short visit has been extended to a month, and she'll be staying in Nairobi. All I know about Africa is what I learned teaching Alan Paton's CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY, written in the 1940s, I believe.

My niece, a nurse, spent a month in Africa with AIDS patients. I think it was in Zimbabwe (cuz I did a search for the Howard Hospital and it shows it's in Zimbabwe). I've messaged her with questions and will let you know. Here are some of her pictures that she took during her stay.

I have been to Nairobi and as with most of the third world countries, you follow safety rules. The people working there will probably explain them to her. Generally you don't go any where alone especially at night. There is violence in Africa that I did not see in other countries I visited. I understand the violence, they work every day just eat. The poverty I saw there was horrible, I wanted to help so bad, but there's nothing one can do.

I went to Zimbabwe in Aug/Sept 2005. All I needed (on top of what I already have because of nursing) was Hep A and Typhoid, but vaccines are region-specific so it really depends on where she's going. She needs to see a travel doctor. They are specialists in this stuff and can tell her exactly what she needs and give it to her.

Africa is a large continent with so many varied cultures, living conditions, etc. There are many safe, beautiful places and many not-so-safe places so my only advice would be to research the country/region she intends to go to.

I also have been to Nairobi. It's a beautiful city....but there are many desperatly poor, and we were warned to not go anywhere alone. The first night, as I went up to my room in the elevator and was met by an armed guard in Army Khaki, I didn't know to be afraid or to feel very safe!
It'll be wonderful! What an experience!
Linda C